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Autonomous Maritime Systems - Completed

This project has enabled greater flexibility and efficiency in skills development for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) and Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) operators.

13 August 2025

Maritime Training Package products have been revised to enable greater flexibility and efficiency in skills development for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) and Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) operators.

Skills Ministers have endorsed updated training products which enable greater flexibility and efficiency in skills development for operators of maritime autonomous vessels.

Autonomous Maritime Systems (AMS) are transforming modern maritime operations by improving efficiency, safety, and productivity. Used across both Defence and civilian sectors, these systems operate in diverse environments with minimal human intervention, enhancing operational capabilities.

AMS are regulated by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) to ensure safe and compliant operation. As automation and digitalisation continue to reshape the maritime industry, new competencies are required to support this transition.

The Maritime Industry 2025 Workforce Plan highlights the growing need for skills in autonomous technologies. Maritime stakeholders and ISA’s Industry Advisory Group (IAG) have emphasized the importance of the national skills system in preparing the workforce for these changes.

Operators of AMS need a broad set of skills to manage autonomous technologies effectively, enabling more flexible and efficient maritime operations.

A Technical Committee of subject matter experts has updated the Certificate III in Autonomous Maritime Systems and two related Skill Sets to better support emerging job roles. As part of the review, pre-requisites were removed from four of the six Units of Competency, allowing for more streamlined and flexible training delivery. These changes are designed to support operators working with Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) and Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) in new and evolving maritime roles. 

What does this mean for industry?

The updates to nationally endorsed training products support a more streamlined and flexible approach to training for emerging roles in Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) operations. These changes will help maritime autonomous vessel operators develop the skills needed more efficiently, while enhancing safety, productivity, and sustainability across the industry.

What does this mean for Registered Training Organisations?

The training products are included in Release 12.0 of the Maritime Training Package. Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) will need to update their training resources to reflect the revised training products.

To support the delivery and implementation of the revised training products, the Companion Volume Implementation Guide (CVIG) has been updated to assist assessors, trainers, RTOs and enterprises. The CVIG contains comprehensive list of all products in the Training Package; including mapping information which details the changes that have been made to the training products; implementation advice, and useful links to other information.

The endorsed Training Package products are now available on training.gov.au

 

In response to requests from industry, the Certificate III in Autonomous Maritime Systems was reviewed and updated. It was proposed that pre-requisites for up to six related Units of Competency be removed from the Maritime Training Package to support streamlined delivery of units for new and emerging job roles conducting Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) and Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) operations.

This will remove barriers for learners and allow for wholistic delivery of training and assessment. 

Deliverables

The project will update: 

  • One Qualification
  • Up to six Units of Competency.
  • Up to three Skill Sets.  

Timeline

The reviewed training products were due to be submitted to the Assurance Body by 30 April 2025.

Consultation Strategy

Industry Skills Australia (ISA) will engage with stakeholders throughout the life of the project and consider all ideas, opinions, and feedback to the revised training products to ensure they meet the needs of industry. A consultation log containing a high-level summary of all feedback and ISA’s response will be maintained and available on our website.

ISA will facilitate a webinar following endorsement of the materials to support stakeholders in understanding the changes and how they will affect them.

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